19 October marks the All-Ukrainian Day of Human Responsibility, the World Humanitarian Day and the International Day of Archaeology.
All-Ukrainian Day of Human Responsibility
This holiday was established in honour of the prominent Ukrainian economist, public figure and thinker Bohdan Hawrylyshyn, who was a supporter of the idea of each person’s responsibility to society, nature and future generations. The main goal of the Human Responsibility Day is to promote the idea of social responsibility, raise awareness of the importance of responsible attitude to one’s actions and decisions, and encourage active citizenship in Ukraine. This day reminds Ukrainians of their role in the development of society, economy, culture and the state as a whole.
Bohdan Hawrylyshyn left a significant mark on the history of Ukraine and the world. He was a member of the Club of Rome, an advisor to many governments and international organisations, including the UN and the World Economic Forum. However, his main idea was to educate a responsible person who is aware of his duties to society. One of Havrylyshyn’s initiatives was the Declaration of Human Responsibility, which calls for a responsible attitude towards the world.
The main ideas promoted on this day are
- Responsibility to oneself – everyone should be aware of the consequences of their actions and decisions and their impact on their own life and the lives of others.
- Responsibility to society – human actions should take into account the interests of the community, nation and future generations.
- Responsibility to nature – it is important to take care of the environment, conserve resources and recognise our role in preserving the planet.
- Civic engagement – an important aspect of responsibility is to participate in the life of the community and the country, and to contribute to the development of society.
Interesting facts
Bohdan Hawrylyshyn was not only an economist and thinker, but also an active philanthropist who supported youth initiatives and leadership development programmes.
‘The Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Foundation continues to work to promote the development of youth civic engagement in Ukraine.
Bohdan Hawrylyshyn’s Declaration of Human Responsibility is a call for a global ethical transformation that begins with each individual.
World Humanitarian Day
This day was established to draw attention to the support of people in need, the provision of basic goods and the protection of rights in crisis situations.
Interesting facts
The humanitarian aid sector has grown significantly in recent years. In 2023, global spending on humanitarian aid reached more than $30 billion, with more than 230 million people in need of emergency assistance.
The most dangerous conditions for humanitarian workers are often found in conflict-affected countries. In 2022, more than 140 humanitarian workers were killed in the line of duty.
Ukraine has become one of the largest countries in need of humanitarian assistance following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Hundreds of humanitarian organisations are working to deliver food, medical supplies and other essential goods to the areas of active hostilities.
Humanitarian aid is not limited to providing food or medicine. It also includes human rights programmes, psychosocial support, access to education and the restoration of infrastructure after disasters.
The symbolism of the World Humanitarian Day is that each of us can contribute to helping those in need. For example, volunteering, donating and raising awareness of the problems of people in crisis situations help to spread humanity.
International Day of Archaeology
This day is celebrated annually on the third Saturday of October, and this year it falls on 19 October. This holiday was created to honour the profession of archaeologists and raise awareness of the importance of archaeological research for the preservation of the history and cultural heritage of mankind.
Interesting facts
The first archaeological excavations in the modern sense were carried out in Italy, in the city of Pompeii, in the 18th century. The ruins of the city, destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, became a key moment in the history of archeology.
One of the greatest discoveries in archaeology occurred in 1922, when British archaeologist Howard Carter discovered the tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun, which amazed the world with its riches and artefacts.
Archaeology in Ukraine has a long history. One of the most important discoveries is the excavation of the Trypillian culture (IV-III millennia BC), which revealed unique settlements and artefacts that testify to a developed civilisation on the territory of modern Ukraine.
Modern archaeological technologies have significantly changed the approach to excavations. For example, today archaeologists use drones, 3D scanners and remote sensing methods to explore areas without disturbing their physical structure.
Archaeological research allows us to better understand not only ancient civilisations but also the impact of climate and ecology on human development. For example, research into ancient settlements can help us understand the causes of climate change that affected populations in the past.
Archaeology is an interdisciplinary science that uses knowledge from geology, history, anthropology, chemistry and other fields to recreate the picture of life in past eras.
Historical events on this day
1918 – Establishment of the Ukrainian National Council of the Western Ukrainian People’s Republic
On 19 October 1918, the Ukrainian National Rada was established in Lviv, proclaiming the formation of an independent Ukrainian state on the Western Ukrainian lands that were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This decision was an important step in the struggle for self-determination of Ukrainians in these territories. The Western Ukrainian People’s Republic (ZUNR) was an expression of Ukrainians’ desire to create their own state, although this period was marked by complex political and military challenges, including a conflict with Poland.
1943 – Discovery of the antibiotic streptomycin
On this day, the American microbiologist Albert Schwartz made an important discovery – the antibiotic streptomycin, which became the first effective treatment for tuberculosis. This discovery was a real breakthrough in medicine, helping to save millions of lives. Streptomycin also marked an important milestone in the development of pharmaceuticals and antibiotic research.
1947 – Mass deportation of Ukrainians to Siberia
Between 19 and 21 October 1947, Operation Zakhid, a large-scale deportation of Ukrainians to Siberia by the Soviet NKVD, began. During this operation, about 150,000 Ukrainians, mostly from the western regions, were deported to remote areas of the Soviet Union. These people were accused of collaborating with the UPA or of being ‘unreliable’ in the eyes of the Soviet authorities. Operation Zakhid was one of the largest deportations in the history of Ukraine, leaving deep wounds in society.
1955 – Soviet troops left the territory of Austria
On 19 October 1955, Soviet troops officially left the territory of Austria, which had been under occupation since the end of World War II. This event was made possible by the signing of the Allied Pact, which secured Austria’s independence and neutral status. It was an important moment in post-war Europe when the country regained control of its territory.
1956 – Restoration of diplomatic relations between the USSR and Japan
On 19 October 1956, a declaration was signed in Moscow on the termination of the state of war between the USSR and Japan. This ended the formal state of war that had been in place since World War II and was an important step towards normalising relations between the two countries. The Declaration also included the restoration of diplomatic relations and peaceful coexistence, although the territorial dispute between Japan and the USSR over the Kuril Islands remained unresolved.
1956 – Arming of Polish workers
On this day, the Polish United Workers’ Party decided to arm workers in response to the threat of Soviet troops advancing towards Warsaw. The situation in Poland escalated due to conflicts between national forces and Soviet troops led by Marshal Konstanty Rokosowski.
1961 – Sentencing of KGB agent B. Stashynskyi in Karlsruhe
In the German city of Karlsruhe, the trial ended with the sentencing of Soviet agent Bohdan Stashynskyi, who had murdered two prominent Ukrainian political figures, Lev Rebet and Stepan Bandera. The court found Stashynsky guilty and determined the Soviet government’s responsibility for the murders, which became an important international precedent in uncovering the crimes of the Soviet secret services.
1964 – Air crash in Belgrade
On 19 October 1964, an IL-62 plane crashed near Belgrade, killing most of the Soviet military delegation, including Marshal Sergei Biryuzov, Chief of the USSR General Staff. This tragedy was a great blow to the Soviet army, as many of the dead were senior officials responsible for the strategic management of the USSR armed forces.
